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Cooley faces federal child pornography charges

By Sheri Hink-Wagner

The Wauneta Breeze

Richard E. Cooley of Wauneta was charged with two federal child pornography charges in an indictment returned on March 20. The indictment charged Cooley with two counts–receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. His initial appearance in federal court is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on Friday, April 11, at the federal courthouse in Lincoln. He will appear in front of United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl R. Zwart on Friday. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard has been assigned to hear the case. Cooley was originally arrested Jan. 10 for alleged possession of child pornography after a search of his home. The search was the result of a joint investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, North Platte Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol investigators and the Chase County Sheriff’s office. He was taken to the Chase County Jail. Bond was set at $100,000. He posted the required 10 percent of his bond and was released. He was originally charged with nine counts of child pornography on Jan. 22 in Chase County Court. Those charges were dismissed on March 24 due to the filing of federal charges.